R4R aims to help animals through sterilisation
Local organisation visits informal settlements to aid the animals.
Recycle4Rescue (R4R) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2017 and headed up by a committee of volunteers.
The mission of the charity is to raise funds which are used to sterilise the pets of those who are unable to afford to pay for the procedure themselves.
The aim is to curb overpopulation which invariably results in euthanasia.
R4R’s motto is happier animals and a cleaner environment equals a better planet.
In conjunction with the indispensable assistance of Remade Recycling, R4R collects glass bottles which are crushed and recycled.
This not only reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, but the funds generated are R4R’s bread and butter.
The organisation is thankful to all those dedicated members of the community who deposit their bottles into the skips.
The skips are located at:
• Bedfordview Veterinary Hospital, situated at 28 Concorde Road, Bedfordview.
• Brentel Motors Engen Garage, situated at 86 Andries Pretorius Road, Edenvale.
• Vet in Randpark Ridge, situated at 113 Randpark Drive.
“Despite the support of the local vets for which we are profoundly grateful, and without which we could not exist, the charity faces high costs each month and the collection of glass has to be expanded to be viable,” said Cathy Parkinson, on behalf of the organisation.
“Currently, we collect about one skip per week of empty bottles, but this has to be increased to at least one skip per day.
“Unfortunately, we are hampered by a lack of resources and manpower to make this happen.”
R4R is appealing to the community to donate their glass and drop it in the skips as they do not have a collection service as yet.
Apart from collecting glass to raise funds, the organisation runs stalls at local markets, hosts bingo evenings, golf days, fun walks, jumble sales, book sales and gift-wrapping at Christmas time.
Also in partnership with Remade Recycling, R4R wants to start collecting white paper from any company willing to give it their scrap paper.
Any suggestions from the public to raise funds are welcome and you can WhatsApp them to 072 148 9080.
“We also need volunteers willing to offer up some of their time,” said Cathy.
R4R serves a large community and we need hands.
“We are active in, but not limited to, the informal settlements in Primrose, namely Makause, Marathon, Delport, Rasta and Crossroads.”
The organisation does monthly outreaches in these areas and hands out pet food, collars and leashes, as well as kennels when it has.
“We dip, deworm and treat superficial wounds on the spot.
“First and foremost we try and educate anyone who will listen, about the need to sterilise,” said Cathy.
“Our efforts are beginning to pay off as people queue to collect food, to surrender unwanted puppies and kittens or to ask to have their pets sterilised.
“In 2019 R4R sterilised more than 600 animals.”
R4R has a number of events coming up.
It will be hosting a teeth-cleaning (R900), micro-chipping (R150) and vaccination (R200) day on March 15 at Sunnyridge Primary School in Pitts Avenue, Sunnyridge.
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For bookings and enquiries for sterilisations send a WhatsApp to 082 572 1882.
A mass sterilisation day will also be held and R4R is hoping to sterilise between 50 and 60 animals on the day.
To make this event a success donations of medical supplies, such as scalpels, blades, drapes, scrubbing solution, disinfectant, spay sets and hooks, Mayo operating scissors, theatre gowns etc. are needed.
The date and venue is still to be announced.
R4R’s wish list is vast, but the organisation appreciates any support from the community as it goes a long way in alleviating cruelty and suffering in animals.
“Apart from donations of glass bottles, we require dog blankets, pet food, collars and leads, kennels and steel or plastic animal carrier cages, jumble and books, lead-free paint and venues to place our penny collection tins,” said Cathy.
“We also desperately require premises on which we could legally erect some kennels so as to accommodate the sterilised animals to give them a day or two to recuperate in safe, sterile and dry conditions before being returned to their owners.
“Currently these animals are returned to the informal settlements on the day they are sterilised and often complications arise because wounds become infected.”
R4R thanked Kloof Road Animal Clinic, Bedfordview Veterinary Hospital and Boksburg East Animal Clinic for their continued support.
The organisation also thanked its numerous supporters who tirelessly collect glass from restaurants, pubs, dog training schools, clubs, complexes, companies and schools, as well as those who donated to the charity last year in cash or kind.
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